Adjustable grille

ABSTRACT

The grille has a frame assembly which defines an air passage and includes a pair of opposed frame segments, from which the opposite ends of a plurality of parallel spaced deflector blades are supported for pivotal movement to control the direction of air flowing through the opening. Each frame segment is provided with a channel for carrying a relatively pliable support member. Pivot pins extending from the opposite ends of each deflector blade are pivotally supported in a respective support member. Each support member has a pair of spaced, opposed leg portions and a relatively thin web section connecting the leg portions to form a generally U-shaped cross section. The outer face of the web section is located adjacent an elongated, longitudinally extending slot provided in the respective frame segment. As part of the assembly, the frame segments are positioned adjacent the opposite ends of the deflector blade with the respective slot aligned with the respective pivot pins. The frame segments are then moved towards each other with a force sufficient for each pivot pin to pierce the web section of the respective support member and thereby form its own interference fit pivot hole therein. Additional friction on the pivot pins for restraining pivotal movement of the deflector blade can be provided by making the interior spacing between the leg portions of the support member less than the outer diameter of the pivot pins.

United States Patent 11 1 Busse et al.

[451 Sept. 16, 1975 1 ADJUSTABLE GRILLE [75] Inventors: Floyd E. Busse, Verona, Wis.; Leon J. Theis, Sanford, NC.

' 21 App]. No.: 478,919

[52] US. Cl 98/110; 49/371; 98/121 R; 49/91 [51] Int. Cl. F24F 13/00; E06B 7/08 [58] Field of Search 98/110, 111, 114, 121 R, 98/121 A, 88 L, 99.8, 40 R, 44; 49/371, 74, 49/84 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,152,447 3/1939 Wheeler 49/371 2,996,971 8/1961 Goettl 98/110 3,091,423 5/1963 Butterworth 211/60 T 3,313,226 4/1967 Johnson 98/121 R 3,591,980 7/1971 Cheng 49/91 3,685,428 8/1972 Kelly et al.. 98/110 3,706,165 12/1972 Baldrich..... 49/371 3,718,081 2/1973 Root 98/110 Primary Examiner-John J. Camby Assistant ExaminerHenry C. Yuen [5 7] ABSTRACT The grille has a frame assembly which defines an air passage and includes a pair of opposed frame segments, from which the opposite ends of a plurality of parallel spaced deflector blades are supported for pivotal movement to control the direction of air flowing through the opening. Each frame segment is provided with a channel for carrying a relatively pliable support member. Pivot pins extending from the opposite ends of each deflector blade are pivotally supported in a respective support member. Each support member has a pair of spaced, opposed leg portions and a relatively thin web section connecting the leg portions to form a generally U-shaped cross section. The outer face of the web section is located adjacent an elongated, longitudinally extending slot provided in the respective frame segment. As part of the assembly, the frame segments are positioned adjacent the opposite ends of the deflector blade with the respective slot aligned with the respective pivot pins. The frame segments are then moved towards each other with a force sufficient for each pivot pin to pierce the web section of the respective support member and thereby form its own interference fit pivot hole therein. Additional friction on the pivot pins for restraining pivotal movement of the deflector blade can be provided by making the interior spacing between the leg portions of the support member less than the outer diameter of the pivot pins.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE GRILLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to air distribution systems and, more particularly, to adjustable grilles for air supply and/or return ducts of air distribution systems.

Air distribution systems typically include grilles in the air supply and/or return ducts for controlling the direction ofthe air flow. These grilles usually consist of the rectangular frame and a plurality of deflector bars or blades which extend between and are pivotally mounted on opposed frame segments so they can be adjustably pivoted to provide the desired direction of air flow. So-called single deflection grilles have one set of deflector blades which extend either horizontally or vertically and double deflection grilles include two sets of deflector blades, one set which extends either horizontally or vertically and a second set which is located 90 to the first set.

Prior art constructions for air grille generally have employed two approaches for pivotally mounting the deflector blades on the frame segments. In one approach, axially alignable pins are provided on opposed frame segments and these pins fit into hollow sections provided on the deflector blades. In another more widely used approach, the deflector blades are provided with a pivot pin at each end. These pivot pins fit into corresponding preformed aperatures provided in the opposed frame segments. Suitable means are pro vided for frictionally restraining the deflector blades at the angular position required to provide the desired flow direction. A spring wire which is woven between the ends of the pins and an apertured plastic strip which fits tightly over the outer ends of the pins are examples of such means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide an adjustable grille which is simple in construction and can be conveniently assembled with a minimum number of operations.

The grille provided by the invention includes a frame assembly which is arranged to define an air passage opening and a plurality of parallel spaced deflector blades disposed in that opening. The deflector blades are supported at their opposite ends for pivotal movement to control the direction of flow through the opening by a support member carried by each of a pair of opposed frame segments which form part of the frame assembly. The Support members and frame segments are arranged so that, during assembly of the grille, pivot pins extending from the opposite ends of each delfector blade form their own pivot holes in the support member, thereby providing a tight frictional fit for each of the pivot pins while eliminating the necessity for preforming holes in either the frame segments or the support members.

More specifically, each of the frame segments is provided with an elongated, longitudinally extending slot and each support member, which is preferably made from a relatively pliable material, includes a relatively thin web section having an outer face located adjacent the slot. The frame segments are positioned adjacent the opposite ends of the deflector blades with the slots aligned with the respective pivot pins. A sufficient force is applied to the frame segments for each pivot pin to pierce through the web section and thereby form its own interference fit pivot hole.

Preferably, the pivot pins are cylindrical and the support members include a pair of opposed spaced leg portions which are connected by the web section and between which the outer ends of the pivot pins extend. The interior spacing between legs portions can be made less than the outer diameter of the pivot pins so there is also an interference fit between the leg portions and the pivot pins, thereby providing additional friction for restraining the pivotal movement of the deflector blades.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable grille embodying various features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, partially fragmentary, plan view of various components of the grille illustrated in FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, partially sectioned view of a frame segment and a deflector blade prior to assembly.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, partially sectioned view of an assembled grille installed in an air supply duct.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention will be described in conjunction with the single deflection grille mounted in an air supply duct for an air conditioning system. Supply duct work and relatd equipment can be of conventional design so it will not be illustrated or described in detail. The air supply duct terminates at wall openings in which a grille is located to control the direction of air being discharged into the room being air conditioned. It should be appreciated that the invention is also adaptable for double deflection supply grilles, as well as return grilles and registers.

Referring to FIG. I, the grille 10 includes a frame assembly 12 comprised of opposed pairs of frame segments l4 and 16 having outer flanges l8 and 20, respectively. While the grille 10 is illustrated in a horizontal position, in actual practice, it is usually installed in a vertical position against a room wall with the outer face of the outer flanges l8 and 20 externally exposed to the room. I

Extending generally perpendicularly from the inner edges of the outer flanges 18 and 20 are respective inner flanges 22 and 24 which, upon assembly of the frame members 14 and 16, define'an interior rectangular air passage opening 26. The ends of the frame segments 14 and 16 are mitered in the usual manner and are firmly connected together in abutting relation to form a tight mitered joint by a suitable fastening means (not shown).

The inner flanges 22 and 24' of the frame segments 14 and 16 fit inside the terminal end of an air supply duct 28 (one side wall of which is .shown fragmentarily) and the outer flanges l8 and 20 fit against the wall 30 surrounding the wall opening (FIG. 4). Suitable means (not shown) is provided for attaching theframe assembly 12 to the wall 30. In order to prevent leakage of conditioned air between the wall 30 and the frame assembly 12, a sealing gasket (not shown) is usually positioned in sealing engagement between the outer flanges l8 and 20 and the wall 30.

A plurality of transversely extending deflector blades 32, positioned in parallel spaced relation within the air passage opening 26, serve to control the direction of air flowing from the supply duct 28 into the room being air conditioned. Extending outwardly from the opposite ends of each deflector blade 32 are cylindrical pivot pins 34. In practice, the pivot pins 34 usually consist of a single tubular member suitably affixed to one edge of the deflector blades 32. The pivot pins 34 are pivotally mounted on a respective frame segment 14 so that the deflector blades 32 can be adjustably pivoted to the angular position required to provide a desired direction of air flow from the duct 28 into the room being conditioned.

For this purpose, each frame segment 14 includes a first wall member 40 which extends generally perpendicularly from the backside 42 of the outer flange 18 in spaced relation to the inner flange 22 and a second wall member 44 which extends generally perpendicularly from the inner flange 22 in spaced relation to the outer flange 18 (See FIGS. 3 and 4). The wall members 40 and 44 are connected at their outer extremities and cooperate with a portion 48 of the outer flange l8 and a portion 50 of the inner flange 22 to define an elongated channel 51 which extends longitudinally along the length of the frame segment 14. Provided in each frame segment 14 is an elongated slot 52 which opens into the channel 51 and extends longitudinally along the length of the frame segment 14.

Located in each of the channels 51 for pivotally supporting the pivot pins 34 of the deflector blades 32 is a support member 54. The support members 54 are perferably made from a relatively pliable material and include a pair of opposed leg portions 56 which are integrally connected together with a relatively thin (e.g., 0.040 inch thick) web section 58. Thus, each support member 54 has a generally U-shaped cross section with the spaced leg portions 56 and the web section 58 defining an elongated cavity therebetween. The interior spacing between the opposed leg portions 56 (designated by reference numeral 60 in FIG. 3) is slightly less than the outer diameter of the deflector blade pivot pins 34. While'the support members 54 can be fabricated by various techniques from a variety of relatively pliable materials, they are perferably extruded from a synthetic plastic material, such as polyethylene.

When the support members 54 are installed in re spective channels 51, the outer face of the web section 58 is located adjacent to the slot 52. The width of the support member 54 approximates the interior lateral dimension of the channel 51 so there is minimum lateral movement or expansion of the support member during assembly and/or operational use of the grille. Longitudinal movement of the support member 54 within the chanel 51 is restrained by dimples 62 (one shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) which ar formed in the opposite end portions of the side wall 40 after the support member 54 has been inserted into the channel 51. Each of the dimples 62 is located to bite into one of the leg section 58, thereby insuring an interference fit. Since the pivot pins 34 have an outer diameter greater than the width of the spacing 60, an interference fit also exists between the outer end portion of each of the pivot pins 34 and leg portions 56 of the support member 54. The frictional force so provided on the pivot pins 34 is sufficient to retain the deflector blades 32 at a desired angular position relative to the direction of air flow through the air passage opening 26 and yet permits the deflector blades to be manually rotated. about the transverse pivot axis defined by the pivot pins 34, to various angular positions.

In a specific construction illustrated, the deflector blades 32 are pivoted individually. If desired, suitable means can be provided for interconnecting the deflector blades 32 so they can be gang operated.

The pivot pins 34 are shaped to facilitate the formation of a pivot hole in the support member web section 58 during assembly. For example, the outer ends of the pivot pins 34 can be provided with a shape resembling that used for punches of conventional hole forming devices, (i.e., pointed, sharpened cutting edges, etc.). In the specific construction illustrated, the pivot pins 34 are hollow and the outer end portions are angled to form a pointed leading edge portion 64 (FIG. 3).

For assembly, the deflector blades 32 are placed in a suitable holding fixture 66 which holds the blades at the proper parallel spacing. The frame segments 14 are located adjacent the opposite ends of the deflector blades 32 with the slots 52 thereof aligned with the respective pivot pins 34. The frame segments 14 are then moved simultaneously towards each other by suitable mechanical means (not shown) which pushes them against the pivot pins 34 with a force sufficient for the outer end portion of each of the pivot pins 34 to punch a hole though the web section 58 of the respective support member 54 and become lodged between the leg portions 56, as shown in FIG. 4. The cut out slug (not shown) from the web section 58 remains within the cavity between the leg portions 56. Assembly is completed by positioning the frame segments 16 adjacent the frame segments 14 with the mitered corners of the frame segments 14 and 16 butted together and then connecting the frame segments together by suitable means (not shown), such as by a mechanical connector.

When a deflection deflelction capability is desired, the frame segments 16 are arranged in substantially the same manner as the frame segments 14 and, while being moved into abutment with the frame segments 14, are pushed onto the outer ends of a second tier of deflector blades which are positioned above or below and at to the illustrated tier of deflector blades 32.

For this alternate arrangement, the slots 52 and the support members 54 for the frame segments 16 are appropriately located to accomodate the installation of the second tier of deflector blades.

From the above description, it can be seen that the invention provides a simply arranged adjustable grille which can be conveniently assembled with a minimum number of operations. For instance, the separate operations usually required to form pivot holes in the frame segments 14 and a plastic friction strip are eliminated. After the frame segments 14 and the deflector blades 32 are assembled together, there is no need for using a retaining means, such as push on nuts on the deflector blade pivot pins, to temporarily hold this sub-assembly ing from the spirit and together until the frame segments 14- and 16 are connected together. Also, there is no need to-install a'separate friction means for restrainingpivotal movement of the reflector blades. Furthermore, the friction required to maintain each deflector blade at adesirediangular position for controlling ai'r flow is insured independent of'manufacturing tolerances. While a preferred embodiment of the invention, has been illustrated and described in detail, it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that various alterations and modifications can be' made thereto without depart scope of the invention.

We claim: r

l. An'adjustable grille for anair distribution system comprising a frame defining an air passage opening and including a pair of opposed frame segments;

a plurality of parallel spaced deflector blades disposed in said opening and extending transversely between said frame segments; and

means supporting said deflector blade from said frame segments for pivotal movement relative to said frame segments to control the direction of air flow through said opening, said support means including means defining an elongated slot in each of said frame segments into said opening,

a pair of elongated support members made from a pliable material, each of said support members having a generally U-shaped cross section and including a pair of opposed, spaced leg portions connected together at one end by a thin web section having an outer face,

means on each of said frame segments for carrying respective one of said support members with said outer face of said web section located adjacent said slot, and

pivot pin means extending from the opposite ends of each of said deflector blades, said pivot pin means extending through respective of said slots, extending in an interference fit through said web section of respective of said support members and including an outer end portion frictionally engaged by said leg portions of respective of said support members, whereby said support members frictionally restrain pivotal movement of said deflector blades and retained said deflector blades in a desired angular position.

2. An adjustable grille according to claim 1 wherein said pivot pin means comprise a cylindrical pin having an outer end portion which has an outer diameter slightly greater than the interior spacing between the leg portions of said support member.

3. An adjustable grille according to claim 2 wherein r the outer end portion of each of said pivot pins is hollow and is angled to form a pointed leading outer edge portion thereon.

4. An adjustable grille according to claim 1 wherein each of said frame segments include an inner flange defining a portion of said opening and an outer flange extending outwardly and generally perpendicular from said inner flange, said slot is located in said inner flange,

said means for carrying said support member in-' eludes a first wall member extending generally perpendicularly from said outer flange in spaced relationship to said inner flange and a second wall .member extending generally perpendicularly from said inner flange in spaced relationship to said outer 'flange,, said firstand second wall members cooperating with portions of said flanges to define an elongated channel for housing said support member. i

5. An adjustable grille according to claim 4.wherein one of said wall members includes. at least one dimple portion which bites into one leg portion of said support member to restrain longitudinal movement of said support member relative to said channel 6. An adjustable grille foran air distributionsystem comprising a frame defining an air passage opening and including 1 a pair of opposed frame segments,, each of said frame segments including an inner flange defining a portion of said opening and an outer flange extending outwardly and generally perpendicularly from said inner flange, said inner flange including an elongated, longitudinally extending slot into said opening;

a plurality of parallel spaced deflector blades disposed in said opening and extending transversely between said frame segments;

a support member made from a pliable material and carried by each of said frame segments for supporting said deflector blades for pivotal movement rela tive to said frame segments to control direction of air flow through said opening, each of said support members having a generally U-shaped cross section and includng a pair of opposed, spaced leg portions connected together at one end by a thin web section having an outer face located adjacent said slot;

a cylindrical pivot pin extending from the opposite ends of each of said deflector blades, each of said pivot pins including an outer end portion extending through respective of said slots, extending in an interference fit through said web section of respective of said support members and being frictionally engaged by said leg portions of respective of said support members, whereby said support members frictionally restrain pivotal movement of said deflector blades and retain said deflector blades in a desireda angular position.

7. An adjustable grille according to claim 6 wherein the outer end portion of said pins is hollow and has a pointed leading outer edge portion.

8. An adjustable grille according to claim 7 including a first wall member extending generally perpendicularly from said outer flange in spaced relation to said inner flange and a second wall member extending generally perpendicularly from said inner flange in spaced relation to said outer flange, said wall members cooperating with portions of said flanges to define an elongated channel for receiving said support member.

9. A method for assembling an adjustable grille for an air distribution system including first and second pairs of opposed frame segments which define an air passage opening and a plurality of parallel spaced deflector blades, each of which extends between and is pivotally supported by said first pair of framed segments, comprising the steps of forming a pair of elongated support members from a pliable material having a generally U-shaped cross section and including a pair of opposed leg portions connected together at one end with a thin web section;

providing each of said first pair of frame segments with an inner flange adapted to define a portion of said opening and having an elongated, longitudinally extending slot and with an elongated channel for receiving one of said support members in a position adjacent said slot;

providing outwardly extending pivot pins on the opposite ends of each of said deflector blades;

installing one of said support members into each of said channels with said web section located adjacent said slot;

positioning said deflector blades in parallel placed relation;

positioning said first pair of frame segments in opposed relation adjacent the opposite ends of said deflector blades with said slots aligned with respective of said pivot pins; moving said first pair of frame segments against said pivot pins with sufficient force for each of said pivot pins to pierce through said web section of respective of said web sections and thereby form its own pivot hole in said web section; and connecting said second pair of frame segments to said first pair of frame segments. 10. A method according to claim 9 including forming the outer end portion of each of said pivot pins in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter slightly larger than the spacing between said leg portions of said support member; and providing a pointed outer end on each of said pivot pins. 

1. An adjustable grille for an air distribution system comprising a frame defining an air passage opening and including a pair of opposed frame segments; a plurality of parallel spaced deflector blades disposed in said opening and extending transversely between said frame segments; and means supporting said deflector blade from said frame segments for pivotal movement relative to said frame segments to control the direction of air flow through said opening, said support means including means defining an elongated slot in each of said frame segments into said opening, a pair of elongated support members made from a pliable material, each of said support members having a generally Ushaped cross section and including a pair of opposed, spaced leg portions connected together at one end by a thin web section having an outer face, means on each of said frame segments for carrying respective one of said support members with said outer face of said web section located adjacent said slot, and pivot pin means extending from the opposite ends of each of said deflector blades, said pivot pin means extending through respective of said slots, extending in an interference fit through said web section of respective of said support members and including an outer end portion frictionally engaged by said leg portions of respective of said support members, whereby said support members frictionally restrain pivotal movement of said deflector blades and retained said deflector blades in a desired angular position.
 2. An adjustable grille according to claim 1 wherein said pivot pin means comprise a cylindrical pin having an outer end portion which has an outer diameter slightly greater than the interior spacing between the leg portions of said support member.
 3. An adjustable grille according to claim 2 wherein the outer end portion of each of said pivot pins is hollow and is angled to form a pointed leading outer edge portion thereon.
 4. An adjustable grille according to claim 1 wherein each of said frame segments include an inner flange defining a portion of said opening and an outer flange extending outwardly and generally perpendicular from said inner flange, said slot is located in said inner flange, said means for carrying said support member includes a first wall member extending generally perpendicularly from said outer flange in spaced relationship to said inner flange and a second wall member extending generally perpendicularly from said inner flange in spaced relationship to said outer flange, said first and second wall members cooperating with portions of said flanges to define an elongated channel for housing said support member.
 5. An adjustable grille according to claim 4 wherein one of said wall members includes at least one dimple portion which bites into one leg portion of said support member to restrain longitudinal movement of said support member relative to said channel.
 6. An adjustable grille for an air distribution system comprising a frame defining an air passage opening and including a pair of opposed frame segments, each of said frame segments including an inner flange defining a portion of said opening and an outer flange extending outwardly and generally perpendicularly from said inner flange, said inner flange including an elongated, longitudinally extending slot into said opening; a plurality of parallel spaced deflector blades disposed in said opening and extending transversely between said frame segments; a support member made from a pliable material and carried by each of said frame segments for supporting said deflector blades for pivotal movement rElative to said frame segments to control direction of air flow through said opening, each of said support members having a generally U-shaped cross section and includng a pair of opposed, spaced leg portions connected together at one end by a thin web section having an outer face located adjacent said slot; a cylindrical pivot pin extending from the opposite ends of each of said deflector blades, each of said pivot pins including an outer end portion extending through respective of said slots, extending in an interference fit through said web section of respective of said support members and being frictionally engaged by said leg portions of respective of said support members, whereby said support members frictionally restrain pivotal movement of said deflector blades and retain said deflector blades in a desireda angular position.
 7. An adjustable grille according to claim 6 wherein the outer end portion of said pins is hollow and has a pointed leading outer edge portion.
 8. An adjustable grille according to claim 7 including a first wall member extending generally perpendicularly from said outer flange in spaced relation to said inner flange and a second wall member extending generally perpendicularly from said inner flange in spaced relation to said outer flange, said wall members cooperating with portions of said flanges to define an elongated channel for receiving said support member.
 9. A method for assembling an adjustable grille for an air distribution system including first and second pairs of opposed frame segments which define an air passage opening and a plurality of parallel spaced deflector blades, each of which extends between and is pivotally supported by said first pair of framed segments, comprising the steps of forming a pair of elongated support members from a pliable material having a generally U-shaped cross section and including a pair of opposed leg portions connected together at one end with a thin web section; providing each of said first pair of frame segments with an inner flange adapted to define a portion of said opening and having an elongated, longitudinally extending slot and with an elongated channel for receiving one of said support members in a position adjacent said slot; providing outwardly extending pivot pins on the opposite ends of each of said deflector blades; installing one of said support members into each of said channels with said web section located adjacent said slot; positioning said deflector blades in parallel placed relation; positioning said first pair of frame segments in opposed relation adjacent the opposite ends of said deflector blades with said slots aligned with respective of said pivot pins; moving said first pair of frame segments against said pivot pins with sufficient force for each of said pivot pins to pierce through said web section of respective of said web sections and thereby form its own pivot hole in said web section; and connecting said second pair of frame segments to said first pair of frame segments.
 10. A method according to claim 9 including forming the outer end portion of each of said pivot pins in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter slightly larger than the spacing between said leg portions of said support member; and providing a pointed outer end on each of said pivot pins. 